Goa: Time After Time!
Goa
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| "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." - William Shakespeare |
Time After Time!
Part I
Goa keeps me coming back for more, ever since my first trip in the 7th Grade. Although that trip was short lived, only five days to be precise, whatever I saw embedded itself in my memories; making me yearn for a time when I would again visit that place of awe and wonder.
Years passed on by, family decided to move to Pune; and soon enough Lavina(Lavi), Mohammed(Vohra), Maddy and me became friends, thick as thieves one might say. The year is 2009, and we're constantly cribbing about how we've such hectic schedules, and how parents can be so over-bearing at times. Longing for a getaway, away from our families, away from the hustle-bustle of the city, to take a break from the monotonously mundane routine.
We were in our teen years, and we needed a break; wow that's putting things into perspective. Anyways, there we were droning on and on, making plans which never bore fruition. The whole year went on by, with none of us being able to head out of town just to get away from it all.
And then it was November, and Vohra, bless him for the spontaneous person he is, decided to put his foot down. Taking advantage of the fact that his birthday was approaching, he told us to be prepared to leave for Goa.
The day of departure couldn't come sooner, Lavi and me were beside ourselves with excitement and anxiety. Finally the day was upon us; bags packed, tickets bought, we hightailed our way to the bus depot.
This was also my first experience of buses being fashioned to allow the passengers to sleep through the overnight journey. This quartet wasn't planning on sleeping though, with excitement and expectations coursing through our veins. And honestly, you don't want to miss the sights and views that the night holds. As the bus went on away from the din of the city, the calm and quiet engulfed us; the only sound came from the engine and the occasional vehicles which passed us by.
Lavi and me had made ourselves comfortable and setup in the lower bunk, while Vohra and Maddy were being restless on the upper bunk. Why restless, you ask. Well, one problem with travelling in a bus on the upper bunk, the journey can become a mellow version of a roller-coaster ride, to put it nicely.
For the first couple of hours, Lavi and me sat next to the window. Feeling the cool night-time breeze mixed with the perfect amount of chill, staring out into the un-ending. Mostly in silence, just drinking it all in; the star studded sky that winked at us every now and then with a twinkle or two, the Moon in all it's brilliance reflecting light upon all.
Quick-tip: When travelling by bus, AVOID CONSUMING EXCESS OF LIQUIDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU AREN'T SURE OF HOW MANY REST STOPS YOU'D BE GETTING.
We arrived at Mapusa, in the early hours of the morning. From there we hired a cab to take us to Calungute.
The only place that was open at the time was Infantaria, a breakfast haven; and since we still had to look around for a place to settle-in, breakfast sounded right to begin our day in Goa.
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| Calangute-Baga Road, Calangute, Goa 403516 |
Having enjoyed a beautiful assortment of fresh baked croissants & bread rolls washed down with a bit of beer, we were ready to face the day. Next on the 'to-do' list, find a place to stay; it didn't take long and we found ourselves in the the cute 'Albenjoh Guest House'.
This guest house is roughly 200 meters from Calungute circle, and within walk-able distance from the beach. An establishment of rooms suited best for back-packers, cost efficient, for a maximum stay duration of five days. At the time we'd rented our room for a mere 1000 INR per night, split among us four, and an additional mattress at 100 INR per night. The room came equipped with an attached bath, TV, refrigerator, two ceiling fans, a double-bed, and a table sans a set of chairs.
The highlight of my stay at Albenjoh's: Lavi's choice of sleeping arrangements for the remainder of the trip. There was this bedding set up on a kind-of high-rise, with its own private mini - ceiling fan, "Mine!", I clearly remember her saying ever so enthusiastically. The innocence of that whole instance still brings a smile to my face. The cutest bit about it, at the time her feet would not reach the floor; so when she'd sit up, her feet would be just left swinging aimlessly in mid-air refusing to stop, no matter Lavi's conscious effort to desist.
Vohra's birthday celebrations were in full swing the moment we settled down in our room. Bikes were hired so that we could ride about the areas, going about exploring to wherever our curiosity lead us.
From Calungute, through Baga and on to Anjuna and Vagator; round to Candolim and back to Calungute. That was our dirt trail.
From the exquisitely delightful meals at Britto's, where I fell in love with their Blueberry Cheese Cake, to the maddening fun frenzy in a lane filled with pubs, diners, open bars, dance clubs; a.k.a. 'Baga Party Lane'.
There was an evening all of us spent at this sea-side point off the shores of Baga, Lavi christened it forever more to be known as "Our Baga Point'. A cozy nook away from the crowd, where we could sit and relax and just be. I only want to highlight this place, because of the estuary that presided there at night. These fishing boats had twinkling lights fixed on their mast, which when spotted at night from a distance gave the illusion of fireflies, and there were at least twenty or so boats. Seemed as if a sprinkle of fireflies, set against the pitch blackness of the night, like a moment from a dream.
The bike rides through the streets of Goa itself were surreal, often leaving me amazed at the diverse entity that Goa is. Goa is alive, metaphorically of course; the past co-existing with the present and there's still room for the future. The architecture show traces of influence of cultures that were once imagined to be almost unreachable.
In years to come Anjuna became a constant in my list of ' Places To Go'.
I'd been suggested to check a place called Curly's beach shack, having read and heard so much of the place it was only fair that all of us would go and check it out. Placed prefect on the coastline of Anjuna, this place did not disappoint us. With the horizon that stretched for miles on either side, and the minuscule outlines of ships, boats and ferries out at sea, the soothing warm rays from the sun, and the breeze that gave me a feel of a welcoming embrace left this place etched in my mind for the sheer peaceful state of mind it brought me and perhaps even Lavi, Vohra and Maddy.
As is with most stories, a memorable trip is incomplete without some form of adventure, and ours came with panic, worry, a man-hunt in the Baga party lane.
On one of the nights Lavi, Vohra and me went about chilling by ourselves, Maddy had gone to catch up with some other of his friends. We were chilling out in Candolim, don't recall the name of the shack though. Giggling and laughing in our own inebriated merriment. Sometime through the night, we got called by Maddy's friend, "I can't find Maddy!", that was all it took. Sobered like a free-fall off the Empire State Building.
Rushing to our bikes, Vohra on the cruiser, and us on the scooter, zooming to Baga. Found his friend waiting for us at the entrance of one of the pubs. The gist of his explanation: one moment Maddy was there, and the next he vanished into thin air. We went on a rampage, I think we might have actually entered all the places to look for him. Our nerves were on end, worry plain and visible on our faces. There we were on the streets, hapless and helpless, his phone had died out on us after we'd tried calling a gazillion time. Rode back to the room, keeping our eyes peeled for him, in case he ended up walking home, but that was without reward. Out on the road again, and after another hour of aimless searching, called it a night and once again headed back to our room.
There lay curled on the steps of room's door, Maddy, sleeping like a baby. He'd probably had too much too drink, but we didn't get the details of his solo adventure at that time itself. There was no waking him, Lavi was beside herself with fury, fury fueled from care and concern. Maddy got a nice listening out of Lavi, while Vohra and me sat in background failing profusely to hide our amusement of the scene in our sight.
Except for the hiccup of that incident, the rest of the trip went along without a glitch, only filled with our happy smiles and laughs.
That weekend away from Pune, was a getaway long awaited. A combination of crazy, fun and a hint of danger; a trip that remains eternally one of my most cherished memories
We left Goa with a heavy heart, because truly a weekend in Goa seems like mere minutes, but we'd to leave. With college and what not to get back to.
That trip rewarded us with a strengthened bond of our friendship, a friendship that is now nearing completion of a decade.
This trip also marked the inception of my annual ritual to head down to Goa. Experiences yet to be experienced, places to be visited, food to be had and people to befriend.
..to be continued.
Get your 'know-how' about Goa at www.goa-tourism.com
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